The influence of lipid-containing plaque composition assessed by near-infrared spectroscopy on coronary lesion remodelling.

Aims: Vessel remodelling is commonly observed in coronary atherosclerosis, but factors influencing remodelling, such as plaque lipid content, remain poorly described.

Methods And Results: Remodelling index (RI) was calculated as the ratio of lesion to proximal and distal references external membrane area and was categorized as follows: positive (PR; RI > 1.05), intermediate (IR; RI 0.

Role of near-infrared spectroscopy in intravascular coronary imaging.

Near-infrared spectroscopy is an intracoronary imaging modality that has been validated in preclinical and clinical studies to help quantify the lipid content of the coronary plaque and provide information regarding its vulnerability. It has the potential to develop into a valuable tool for the risk stratification of a vulnerable plaque and, furthermore, a vulnerable patient. In addition, in the future this technology may help in the development of novel therapies that impact vascular biology.